Oil leak or not? Mariner 40 1988 2 cylinder

[doshka]

Just got a rib with a mariner 40.
Price i paid, was fair for boat only so not expecting much from the engine, I was pleasantly suprise how well she runs.

After doing about 40 miles in two days, i noticed after flushing salt water out with fresh that after standing over night there was a milky, oily fluid seaping from the water suction port (not a lot a tea spoon at that). Is this normal or is my cooling system leaking? Preasure leaking from cyclinders into the cooling water? is it bad and how do i rectify it?

OR could it be an oil leak from the gearbox into the water pump??

Any help greatly appreaciated.

Thanks for your help in advance.

 

[doshka]

Re: Oil leak or not? Mariner 40 1988 2 cylinder

Anyone got any ideas??? Please.

 

[AMD Rules]

Re: Oil leak or not? Mariner 40 1988 2 cylinder

You could have exhaust gases leaking into your cooling water circuit. This could be a gasket on the port side of the power head, or it could be a base gasket under the power head. Slimer chance would be a crack in the block or covers somewhere.

There is also the possibility that you are getting gearbox oil into the water circuit, though less likely. Typically this leaks the other direction, ie. leaking water into your gearbox. Did you check the gear oil?

Sounds odd, but did you smell it? Gearbox oil smells horrible in comparison to 2-stroke oil. Might help to determine source.

Good luck.